PTA Takes Action – October 2016

October 4, 2016

Register Now: Federal Appropriations 101 Webinar

Every year, Congress must pass a budget to fund the government for the next year. This congressional requirement has become more complex in recent years, but no less important, as the budget decides what federal programs should be funded. National PTA’s government affairs department will guide participants through the appropriations process with updates on funding levels for certain education programs. Participants will learn:

National PTA is pleased to release the College and Career Ready Initiative Request for Proposals (formerly Common Core State Standards Initiative).

Six state PTAs will be awarded $15,000 grants to conduct in-depth outreach to parents and state decision makers on the issues of standards, assessments, accountability, implementation and ESSAand conduct training for state leaders on advocacy. Applications are due by Oct. 23, please email Chrystal Jones for additional info.

PTA’s State Assessment Guides have been updated and translated into Spanish! View your state’s custom assessment guide and additional resources on standards and assessments for families.

Juvenile Justice Bill Passes Through U.S. House of Representatives

The U.S. House of Representatives voted 382–29 to pass the Supporting Youth Opportunity and Preventing Delinquency Act (H.R. 5963) last week. Endorsed by National PTA, this bill would reauthorize the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act (JJDPA) and improve the nation’s juvenile justice system. Specifically, the bill would improve the current law to:

Incorporate more family and community-based services and alternatives to incarceration

Keep detained youth separate from adults while they are awaiting trial

Pictured: Francis Frost, Family Abassador to the U.S. Department of Education with Executive Director of National PTA, Nathan R. Monell, CAE.

Advocate of the Month

Joe Gebara, vice president of education for Florida PTA, is National PTA’s Advocate of the Month. Joe traveled to the White House Sept. 12 to speak on a panel about the importance of innovation and collaboration in high schools.

He was joined at the event by Miami-Dade County Public Schools Superintendent Alberto Carvalho and President of the United Teachers of Dade, Karla Hernandez-Mat. The Miami-Dade school district leaders along with parents and teachers worked together to pass a $1.2 billion school bond measure— to improve access to quality technology and enhance opportunities for students— to be college and career ready.

Parent-school partnerships are important relationships to build on to make every child’s potential a reality which Joe has shown through his work in Miami and throughout Florida.

Have You Registered to Vote Yet?

The election is just around the corner, so make sure you register to vote in time to make your voice heard! You can register to vote online through National PTA’s new voter registration tool.

Also, check out National PTA’s election guides to increase civic engagement in your community. These helpful manuals explain what nonprofits can and cannot do around elections, ballot measures, town halls, candidate forums and other election activities.

The Federal Government is Funded Until December

On Sept. 29, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate passed a continuing resolution (CR)—which means they agreed to fund the government at last fiscal year’s funding levels—until Dec. 9, 2016.

On Dec. 9, Congress will have to decide if they will continue to fund the government at last year’s levels or pass a funding bill that creates new funding levels for programs for fiscal year 2018 (referred to as an omnibus). National PTA expects that Congress will choose to combine all appropriations into an omnibus to fund the government in fiscal year 2018 and we will keep you updated on the outcome.

Your Voice Matters to Your Members of Congress

Constituents’ position on policy is important to legislators, according to a 2014 poll by the Congressional Management Foundation. U.S. House and Senate policy staff were asked how policy is developed and how much constituents influence policy.

Poll results revealed that 75% legislative staff reported that it was very important (61%) or somewhat important (14%). This means, that when and issue is up for a vote, or legislation is being introduced PTA members should let their representatives know where they stand!

Source: “From the Staffer’s Office to the Member’s Office” Partnership for a More Perfect Union, Copyright Congressional Management Foundation, CongressFoundation.org. Used with permission.